Chapter 23

Chapter 10. Jin, the Cadets, Suiin, and...

In Garon's office, three cadets were already seated. The cadets looked tense, and Garon was pointing to a map on the wall, explaining the operation.

"This operation is a special mission assigned due to the outstanding performance of this year's junior class... Ah, young master. You've arrived."

As Jin entered, Garon smiled and bowed.

Junior training classes typically do not receive missions, but it's not unprecedented. If junior cadets perform above average, they are occasionally assigned missions.

The significant achievement of this year's junior cadets, which led to the assignment of a mission in Runkandel, is largely due to Jin.

When Jin fought Velop last year, it wasn't just Velop Schmitz who awakened. The events of that day also had a significant impact on the other cadets, though unintentionally.

"Garon. A mission has been assigned?"

"Yes, young master. A mission has been assigned to ten cadets from the junior class, including you."

Jin looked at the world map that Garon was standing in front of.

'The area marked in red must be the operation zone. It looks like... near the Jean Kingdom.'

The Jean Kingdom is close to the 'Land of Suiin.' It is particularly adjacent to the territory of the 'White Wolf Clan,' the most dangerous of the Suiin races. It is a land that travelers avoid, adventurers prefer, and mercenaries despise.

"We are also contacting the cadets who are on vacation outside the Sword Garden. A total of ten cadets, including you, will be divided into two teams to carry out the mission."

"Ten cadets from the junior class, and divided into two teams?"

"Yes. You will lead Team 1, and Scut Raymond will lead Team 2."

Scut Raymond. Although the results have not been announced, everyone expected that the vice-captain of the junior class would be either Mesa or Scut.

'Even so, Scut is only at the level of a two-star knight. The mission in the Jean Kingdom is likely to be related to Suiin...'

Something felt off.

No matter how talented the cadets of Runkandel are, they are just kids between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. They are not suitable for a mission involving Suiin.

'Has one of my brothers bribed Garon to assign this mission? No, given Garon's confident expression, it seems my father gave the direct order.'

Then why? Jin thought quietly.

'It can't just be because I'm related to Soladeret or because of my outstanding performance. Then... it seems the incident between me and Velop has been reported to my father. Now it makes sense.'

Jin nodded silently.

"Then we will form teams of five. Who are my team members?"

"Yes, young master. Your Team 1 consists of Velop, Fields, Edington, and Sierra. Scut's Team 2 includes Mesa, Kiko, Taiment, and Jushen."

As soon as he heard the team composition, Jin understood Sirion's intention.

The four members of Jin's team, except for Velop, are all evaluated as middle to lower in the training class. Even Velop, who has awakened, has inconsistent skills and is only in the upper-middle range.

In contrast, the members of Scut's team are all top performers in the training class. This inefficient team composition could only mean one thing.

'My father wants to test me. He wants to see if I can lead a team of weaker members without wavering.'

This would certainly be a challenging mission.

Jin, sensing this, spoke.

"Explain the mission and the operation outline, Garon."

"The mission is to search the southern border area of the Jean Kingdom. It seems the son of a wealthy family has gone missing in the vicinity. Each team will search their designated area and report any clues or the missing person."

Once it was confirmed that the mission involved only searching and reporting, the cadets' tense expressions eased.

"What happens after the report?"

"If the target is confirmed to be alive, the Guardian Knights will be dispatched for a rescue mission, and you and the cadets will return. If the target has already been killed, the mission will end unless there is an additional request."

"Simple enough."

"Yes. However, the possibility of encountering Suiin is very high, so caution is necessary."

"Of course. The southern part of the Jean Kingdom is also where the White Wolf Clan is active, so we need to be extra careful."

The White Wolf Clan. They resemble white wolves and are known for their exceptional combat abilities among the Suiin.

"Young master, if you encounter the White Wolf Clan, all cadets must immediately abandon the mission and escape."

"I know. Even if this year's junior class is outstanding, we can't handle the White Wolf Clan warriors. Don't worry."

Garon smiled.

"I'm not worried. I know that this year's cadets, including you, are very talented. However, unexpected dangers always lurk in the world, don't they?"

Jin smiled, looking directly at Garon.

"You make it sound like danger is inevitable, Garon."

"You've caught me. Personally, I expect you to handle such situations excellently."

"You're a good teacher. Inform me when all the personnel who have left the main house have gathered."

"Understood."

* * *

Four days later, as soon as the rest period ended, the mission assigned to the junior class began.

Jin and nine other cadets found the portal to travel to the Jean Kingdom.

"It's an honor to carry out my first mission with you, young master. Our Team 2 will do our best to support you and not let you down."

While waiting for the portal to open, Scut approached Jin and said.

"Ha ha. Are you putting pressure on me, Scut Raymond?"

"Absolutely not! I just wanted to express my gratitude for being assigned this mission thanks to you during our junior class."

"It's a joke."

Scut has a strong loyalty to Runkandel and a tremendous respect for Jin.

However, respect for Jin is not limited to Scut.

"Team 1, pay attention and support the young master well. Don't be a burden."

When Mesa sharply reprimanded them, the members of Team 1 nodded.

"Most importantly, even you, who are clearly in the middle to lower ranks. If you complete this mission successfully, you might get a chance to advance to the intermediate class. Understand?"

"Understood, Mesa. I'll do my best."

Jin smiled at this scene.

At first glance, it might seem like Mesa is speaking carelessly, but she genuinely hopes that the members of Team 1 will advance to the intermediate class with her.

She is not only the drill sergeant of the junior training class (which suits her well), but also a cadet who cares deeply for her peers.

The junior cadets working with Jin are certainly special. They have formed a strong bond centered around Jin.

This is a rare atmosphere in Runkandel's competitive system. Even when close-knit cadets do appear, their relationships are usually limited to 'young master' or 'miss.'

Over the past few years, Jin has made them completely his own.

"Everyone, pay attention. The portal will open soon, so I will give orders."

"Yes!"

The cadets gathered in a circle around Jin.

"We will set up camp in the center of the southern border area upon arrival. Once the camp is set up, Teams 1 and 2 will split and begin their search."

Jin pointed to the map and continued.

"The purpose of the camp is to share information and protect the injured. Each team will send someone to the camp at the same time every day to share information."

"Understood, young master."

"During the mission, address me as team leader, not young master. And except for the injured, no one will rest at the camp. Rest during the search as each team sees fit. Any questions?"

"No!"

"Very well. Let's hope the target is still alive."

A moment later, the portal opened, and Jin and the cadets were enveloped in a glowing magic.

Upon completing the teleportation, the group arrived at the portal in the central-southern part of the Jean Kingdom.

Normally, they would have to go through immigration procedures, but the portal staff, upon seeing the robes the cadets were wearing, skipped the entire process. The robes bore the 'Black Sword' emblem of Runkandel.

* * *

Four days have passed since arriving in the central-southern part of the Jean Kingdom.

The cadets have set up camp and continued their search, but they have not yet found any significant clues.

The southern border area of the Jean Kingdom is a land of grasslands and forests. They have thoroughly searched the open grasslands, but finding the traces of a missing human in this vast land is not easy.

"We should focus on searching the forest area. There were no small traces in the grasslands."

"Team leader, Edington said he saw a Water Tail Suiin earlier."

"Water Tail Suiin? If they are around, the chances of encountering the White Wolf Clan are low."

The Water Tail Suiin are a very gentle and kind race that live by fishing in rivers and seas using their spear-like tails.

They are not found where the White Wolf Clan or Red Fox Clan are present, as they always form settlements to avoid predators.

"Velop, you will go to the camp and meet Team 2 today, right?"

"Yes."

"Velop, due to the sleet, the journey will be delayed, so start two hours earlier than usual. Return to Area 13, not here. We will be searching that area."

"Understood, team leader."

Teams 1 and 2 sent someone to the camp every night by 9 PM to exchange information.

After Velop left, the remaining team members also began to move. Area 13 was a forest that had not yet been searched.

'Something feels off. This is clearly a mission given by my father, but nothing significant has happened so far. Was it a mistake to think this was a mission to evaluate me?'

Nothing significant happened in Area 13, and no clues about the missing person were found.

The only noteworthy event was receiving grilled fish as a gift from a Water Tail Suiin village they stumbled upon.

"Human missing? We don't know. Water Tail Suiin are kind. You look poor. Fish. Eat it. It's a gift."

"Sure, sure. I understand. Thanks. It's well-cooked. I'll return the favor next time."

Team 1 continued searching until past midnight, wiping their rain-soaked swords while waiting for Velop to return. The sleet continued, making further searching meaningless.

'If we don't find anything after searching Area 13, it means we need to check the area near the Land of Suiin... But searching the Land of Suiin is not a mission for the junior class.'

'There's no need to push for results. That would be foolish. It's best to end the mission by confirming the areas searched over the remaining four days.'

At 2 AM, Velop returned to the camp.

"Young master! Young master Jin!"

He was so urgent that he even forgot to call Jin 'team leader.' The waiting cadets immediately stood up and looked at Velop.

"What happened? Velop."

"Team 2 was attacked! Kiko, who came to the camp, was slightly injured."

"Prepare to move. Suiin?"

The cadets quickly formed a moving formation.

"No, they were humans. They were hiding, so they couldn't use signal flares. We need to get there as quickly as possible!"